FAQ: Getting Help

AWARE is not able to provide emergency help in crisis situations. If you are in an emergency situation, call 999 to reach the police or 995 for emergency medical assistance. If you are feeling suicidal, you can call the SOS 24-hour helpline at 1800 221 4444.

To get help from AWARE, you can call our Helpline, Mon– Fri, 3pm to 9:30pm. If you have experienced sexual assault, you can visit the Sexual Assault Care Centre without an appointment (Mon-Fri, 10am to 7pm) or call 6779 0282 (Mon-Fri, 10am till midnight).

How long do I need to wait for a meeting with a counsellor or a lawyer?

A social worker is on-site at the Sexual Assault Care Centre to help women who have experienced sexual assault, even without an appointment. If you are looking for counselling, you should call our helpline to get a referral. After you call, a counsellor will usually call you back in 1-3 days to set up an appointment with you.

The Legal Clinic takes place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, from 7pm to 9:30pm. You will need to call our helpline to make a prior appointment to see the lawyer at the legal clinic. Bookings for the legal clinic open 2 weeks before the next session. The legal clinic is very popular and slots often get filled up quickly.

How much do you charge?

The legal clinic is free. However, it is open only to women who earn less than $3,000 per month.

The first three counselling sessions are free of charge. Subsequent fees are based on a sliding scale. They are approximately one percent of your monthly income. For instance, if your monthly income is $2,000, your counselling fee would be $20 per session. The maximum charge is $80 per session.

Do you have counsellors and lawyers who speak languages other than English?

Yes, we currently have counsellors who can speak Mandarin. Some of the lawyers speak Mandarin as well.

Where does the counselling and legal clinic take place?

At the AWARE Centre, which is at 5 Dover Crescent, #01-22 (off Dover Road). This is in the west, between Clementi and Buona Vista, not far from United World College, Anglo-Chinese Junior College and Singapore Polytechnic. Click here for directions.

AWARE is very far from where I live. How can I find a counsellor or lawyer who is closer?

To see a counsellor near where you live, please call the ComCare Helpline 1 800 222 0000. They will refer you to the nearest Family Service Centre, which also has counsellors.

To find a legal clinic in your area, refer to LegalClinics.sg or call the AWARE Helpline.

Can you direct me to a shelter?

No, but we can help refer you to your nearest Family Service Centre, which can then assist you with a shelter referral.

I’m a friend of somebody who could use some help. Can I call you?

Of course you can! However, we encourage the one who needs the help to call herself. Please note that we will not be able to contact your friend unless we have her permission.

Can I call AWARE for help without giving my name?

Yes, you can be anonymous or give a fake name. We do not need your full name to talk to you.

Will you tell my family/my husband that I have contacted you?

No. All calls and cases are kept strictly confidential.

I already hired a lawyer. Can I attend the legal clinic at AWARE for a second opinion?

No. The lawyers working for AWARE are for those who don’t have a lawyer.

What makes you different from other helplines and legal clinics in Singapore?

Our Helpline and Legal Clinic are services that are provided for women, by women. AWARE staff and volunteers share AWARE’s vision of gender equality and believe that a woman should have full control over her body and her fertility. We also embrace diversity of race, age, culture and sexuality, and promote tolerance and acceptance of diversity.

Can you help me with drafting a will?

No. If you have specific legal questions regarding your will, you may want to consider attending our Legal Clinic for a one-off consultation. However, we cannot assist you with the actual drafting. There is also some information available here.